Antonio Conte is demanding Harry Kane stay if he is to take the Tottenham job.
The Times says Conte, who resigned from Inter Milan last week, will only agree to be appointed Spurs boss if he receives assurances Kane will stay beyond this summer.
Kane - who won the Premier League Golden Boot this season - informed the club last month he would like to leave this summer.
The England captain appears to be absolutely resigned to leaving; even the prospect of a reunion with Mauricio Pochettino was not enough to change his stance.
Spurs targeted their former manager over the last week but Paris Saint-Germain took swift action to prevent him from departing.
Conte is said to be seeking a contract worth an eye-watering £8.5million per season, which is more than what Pochettino earned during his time with the club.
There is also a question mark over the make-up of the potential new Spurs hierarchy, with the club considering the appointment of a sporting director to work alongside Conte.
Juventus chief football officer Fabio Paratici has been sounded out for the role and talks are underway with Conte's compatriot.
